Lach's Kids

COMMUNITY NEWS

Marlins Manager Invites Youngsters To Home Games At His Expense.

They come to Joe Robbie Stadium, if only for the day, from all over South Florida to watch the Florida Marlins.

For some, it may be the only chance they get as youngsters to attend a Major League Baseball game. For many, it's an experience they will never forget.

"Lach's Kids" is named after Marlins manager Rene Lachemann, a former major league catcher who grew up in south-central Los Angeles, an inner-city area better known for producing criminals than major league skippers.

Lachemann has invited groups of 20 to 25 youngsters to every Saturday and Sunday home game at Joe Robbie Stadium since the Marlins began playing in 1993.

"From Day 1, when he moved here, he said this was one of the things he wanted to do," said Jorge Arrizurieta, the Marlins' director of community relations. "He wants to give kids a chance."

Twenty youngsters from Deerfield Beach and Pompano Beach, ranging from 7 to 17, were "Lach's Kids" at last Sunday's game when the Marlins were beaten 4-2 by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The group was handpicked by the Broward Sheriff's Office, which supplies the school resource officers to the elementary, middle and high schools in Deerfield Beach.

Capt. Al Lamberti, who heads the Deerfield Beach district, said the students aren't trouble-makers or juvenile delinquents.

Some were picked because of their exemplary work in anti-drug programs. Others were chosen because it was felt the experience would help them develop as role models for younger students.

Lamberti said many programs these days are aimed at troubled teens.

"Sometimes, the good kids get left out," he said.

Lachemann not only purchases the tickets, but also sandwiches and drinks. He even buys the pennants that members receive and the "Lach's Kids" banner that hangs in the right-field stands, where the youngsters sit.

"We pay for nothing," said Arrizurieta, who estimated that Lachemann spends about $14,000 annually on the program. "He's a real stickler about that."

After arriving at the ballpark, the group was escorted to the infield box seats near first base, where Lachemann greeted them.

Lachemann, the son of a world-class chef, told the youngsters about how he hawked newspapers outside the Los Angeles Coliseum and snuck in during halftime to watch games.

"We had lots of problems," Lachemann recalled as he paced back and forth. "We had gangs."

He implored the youngsters to avoid the violence that tragically ends some people's lives and ruins others by sending them to jail.

"Give your neighbor or your friend a chance to live," Lachemann said.

The manager also talked about the strike and its impact on fans.

"Baseball needs you more than you need us," he said. "We've lost a tremendous amount of fans, and we're not going to get a lot of them back."

After Lachemann autographed everyone's pennant, the youngsters were escorted into the dugout. Normally, they would watch batting practice, but it was canceled because of the Cuban Legends game.

Everyone received a Billy the Marlin cap, sunglasses, baseball and bag.

"I was surprised they gave us so much stuff," said Lona Davis, 16, president of the senior class at Deerfield Beach High.

Two Marlin rookies, catcher Charles Johnson and pitcher Matt Mantei, penned autographs for everyone in the dugout. So did third base coach Cookie Rojas.

Steve Solomon, 15, a Deerfield Beach High junior, said the visit to Joe Robbie Stadium was his first.

"It was a rush when I stepped on the field," said Solomon, a Pompano Beach resident.

Jana Heinz, 17, a Deerfield Beach High senior, was also attending her first Marlins game.

"I guess if it wasn't for [Lachemann), I wouldn't be here," said Heinz.

"It's a great opportunity for the kids," said Officer Butch Santy, the Sheriff's Office's school resource officer at Deerfield Beach High. "I've already got kids asking me about next year."

Nick Currie, 16, a junior who plays third base for the Deerfield Beach High team, enjoyed the program.

"I thought it was pretty cool," he said.

So did students Enrique Herrera, 17, Ryan Reckley, 17, and Bruce McFayden, 16.

"You don't get that many chances to step on a major league field or in a dugout," McFayden said.

Some were surprised to learn that Lachemann's background included a tough inner-city area.

"I never thought he grew up in a bad neighborhood, like he said," McFayden said.

Other groups participating in the "Lach's Kids" program this year included the Palm Beach Sports Commission, RBI All Stars of South Florida, Miami Youth League and the sheriff's Police Athletic League.

"You have to give credit to Lachemann," Lamberti said. "He doesn't have to do this."